Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) — The Department of Health and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are exploring ways to fill the 4,500 nurse vacancies in the country, as the plan of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa poses legal challenges.
“I met with the Professional Regulation Commission Commissioners and the Board of Nursing and they understand my view and they are there to help me find solutions,” Herbosa said in a statement Friday.
The health chief believes the government can tap other options “despite legal limitations.”
In a press conference later on the day, Herbosa said among the possible suggestions were hiring nursing graduates as nursing assistants.
He said the proposed position may have a monthly salary of around ₱ 20,000 — lower than the Salary Grade 15, which is around ₱32,000, of entry-level nurses in public hospitals.
“We can call them nurse trainees, it can be a training program as well until they get their certification so they’ll be under supervision of a licensed nurse,” he told reporters.
WATCH: Herbosa wants to hire nursing assistants amid workforce shortage
On Thursday, the PRC said it cannot issue a temporary license or permit to nursing graduates who have not passed their board exam, based on stipulations from the Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act.
If Herbosa still pushes for this and the government hires those who failed their boards, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto said they will be placed under supervision.
READ: Despite mixed reactions, Herbosa to still push for hiring unlicensed nurses to fill shortage
Herbosa’s discussion with the Board of Nursing, meanwhile, revolved around suggestions for fixing the issues of the outward migration of Filipino nurses.
“I am thankful that Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PRC Commissioner Charito Zamora are all very supportive of finding legal ways to solve our health manpower problems,” he added.
In the press conference, Herbosa was also not dismissing the possibility of amending the law to consider his proposal in giving temporary license to those who will fail the board exam but will meet a set cut-off score.
“The PRC says that’s the better way and I have congressmen also supporting my idea,” he told reporters. “So sabi niya madali lang ‘yan amendment lang ng PRC to the nursing act to have that, but the president has to declare it urgent para gawin ng legislator.”
[Translation: They told me it’s easy since it would only need an amendment to the nursing act, but the president has to declare it urgent to compel legislators.]
